Kenneth George Bauer

Obituary

Kenneth George Bauer was born on August 15, 1935, in Gaylord, Minnesota. He was the son of Harry Sr. and Esther (Hoecke) Bauer.  Kenneth was baptized as an infant on September 15, 1935, by Rev. W. Ulrich and later was confirmed in his faith by Rev. G. Mathiale both at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gaylord, Minnesota.  He attended school in Winthrop graduating with the Class of 1953.  In December of 1955, Kenneth enlisted with the United States Army and honorably served his country.

On May 17, 1960, Kenneth was united in marriage to Jane Hanslick at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon by Rev. H. H. Kesting.  The couple made their home in Glencoe, Minnesota, and were blessed with two children, Greg and Gwenda.  Kenneth and Jane shared over 56 years of marriage. 

Kenneth was a mason by trade and worked in the construction industry for many years.  He started his career with Zumhoff Construction before joining Schatz Construction where he worked until his retirement in 1997.  He was a longtime member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glencoe serving on the church council and often lent his expertise to the church on various building construction and maintenance projects.  Kenneth was also a member of the Glencoe VFW Post 5102, serving as Commander of the post from 1975-1976. 

Kenneth always had a smile, happy and content are the words that describe him best.  Family was very important to him and he enjoyed attending many of his children's and grandchildren's activities.  Both Kenneth and Jane enjoyed dancing, travel and entertaining friends and family at their lake cabin on Big Kandiyohi Lake.  He also enjoyed fishing, bowling, snowmobiling, bird watching and doing handyman projects around the house.

Kenneth passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2016, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the age of 81 years, 4 months and 9 days.

Blessed is his memory. 

Kenneth is survived by his:
Wife, Jane Bauer of Glencoe, MN;
Son, Greg Bauer and his wife, Julie, of Eagan, MN;
Daughter, Gwen Erhardt and her husband, Carl, of John’s Creek, GA;
Grandchildren, Christopher Bauer and his fiancée, Laura Windholz, of Inver Grove Heights, MN,
Lauren Bauer of Eagan, MN,
Ansley Erhardt of John’s Creek, GA;
Siblings, Harry Bauer Jr. of Gaylord, MN,
Marjorie Kloeckl and her husband, Tony, of Arlington, MN,
Arline Blood of San Diego, CA;
Brother-in-law, John Hanslick and his wife, Bonnie, of Gibbon, MN;
Many Nieces, Nephews, and Other Relatives;
Special Friends, Duane and Norene Schuette and many other friends and neighbors.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his Parents, Harry Sr. and Esther Bauer; Sister-in-law, Lucille Bauer.